Making Love in the Kitchen: The Blog

I was on the phone with my friend Vanessa, yesterday as I was pulling a fresh batch of cookies from the oven. She asked if I had a new and improved cookie recipe. Of course I do.  I love cookies and so over the last couple of years, my cookie recipe has evolved. I have learned that almost anything will taste good when mixed with enough cinnamon and honey, but keeping them healthy is where the challenge lies.

The ultimate healthy cookie has to have ingredients that promote good health through their inherent healing properties, taste combination and the love that goes into making them. After all all, could anything be healing if is not done with love and good intentions? No one makes cookies for their enemies. A home baked cookie is a little taste of love and my love is always full of healthful wishes and healing energy. So here are the healing ingredients that make up the New Ultimate Healthy Cookie (the complete recipe is at the bottom):

Quinoa: Excellent source of  protein, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorous, making it a healing food for people who suffer from migraine headaches, diabetes and atherosclerosis.  Quinoa is also a good source of riboflavin, which is necessary for proper energy production within cells. As a good source of manganese and copper, two minerals that serve as co-factors for the superoxide dismutase enzyme, this grain helps to protect cells from free radical damage. The high fiber content that aids in digestion and keeps the system moving smoothly.

Coconut / Coconut Oil: Extra virgin coconut oil absorbs easily and quickly in the digestive tract, facilitates nutrient absorption and has anti-microbial properties that helps eliminate unfriendly microorganism invasions that result from damaged digestive terrain. Coconut is especially healing for inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s and colitis or any other type of inflammatory response through the body.

Ground Flax: A high quality, low cost, easily digestible source of protein and fibre. Flax seeds are a superb source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids that are healing to the intestinal tract as precursors to Series 1 and Series 3 prostaglandins, anti-inflammatory molecules. Omega 3 oils are  balancing to female hormones, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes. Fresh ground flax seeds are a superb and gentle source of dietary fiber that help maintain a healthy intestinal flora reducing cause for infection or inflammation. In addition to its function as a natural laxative, the mucilage component of flax acts as a buffer to acids making it ideal for battling disease as the body requires a generally alkaline pH level for a proper healing environment.

Ground Cinnamon: Anti clotting properties, anti-microbial properties (meaning it kills off the bad bacteria that invade the average person’s digestive tract), helps stabilize blood sugar levels, the scent is believed to boost brain function and the calcium and fiber improve colon health and protect against heart disease. And how could I not mention the natural warming quality that improves digestion and leaves everyone with a little case of the warm and fuzzies.

Ginger: Improves digestion, breaks down protein, relieves nausea (morning sickness and motion sickness), reduces inflammation, stimulates circulation, relaxes muscles around blood vessels, and the warming effects make it a natural decongestant and antihistamine. 

Almonds: A delicious source of protein, have properties that protect against heart disease, and vitamins and minerals necessary for energy production. They help prevent gallstones, and are also high in tryptophan, the amino acid that is a precursor to seratonin, the “happy” chemical in the brain. They are also an excellent source of vitamin E which increases fertility.

Walnuts: Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of protein. They are rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E.  Nuts in general are also high in plant sterols and monounsaturated and omega 3 polyunsaturated fats.

Raw Honey: The health benefits of honey depend on the quality of the honey. In the case of high quality, raw honey, we find anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. It is also believed that raw honey can improve athletic performance and heal wounds. Honey has been used topically as an antiseptic therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcers, burns and wounds for centuries. As well, honey helps control free radicals, keeping them from damaging cell walls.

Raw Cacao: High levels of sulfur and magnesium. The antioxidants in cacao can help decrease blood pressure, improve circulation, promote cardiovascular functions and help fight heart disease, improve function of endothelial cells that line the circulatory system, provide protection from free radicals, which may trigger cancer, heart disease and stroke and improve digestion. Cacao is also one of nature’s richest sources of magnesium, which is a heart as well as brain mineral. Magnesium helps relax nerves and muscles, builds and strengthens bones and keeps blood circulating smoothly. It is also a rich source of other essential minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur and potassium.

Apple: High in antioxidants and antioxidants protect the body from harmful environmental or self inflicted toxic substances. Apples are high in vitamin C which stimulates immune function, aids in cholesterol metabolism, contributes to thyroid hormone production, stimulates adrenal glands (which helps control stress responses), reduces the side effects of chemical drugs and works to maintain and strengthen collagen, connective tissue, ligaments, joint linings, capillary walls, bones and teeth. Apples also contain potassium which balance electrolytes in the body and pectin which holds moisture to help keep the body hydrated and apples are jam packed full of soluble and insoluble fiber to keep things regular.

So now that you know why these are the Ultimate Healthy Cookies, get baking. I recommend using organic ingredients as this will improve the quality and healing capabilities of your cookies: Here is the recipe:

The Ultimate Healthy Cookie

• 1 cup of flour (any kind works, I often use 1/3 each of brown rice flour, amarynth flour and quinoa flakes or flour, but you can also make them grain free by using ground almond, sesame and/or coconut flour- I have yet to try a combo that hasn’t worked)
• 1/2 cup  ground nuts (I grind mine fresh in a little coffee grinder but feel free to buy pre ground, or use nut butter of choice. I use 1/2 cup ground almond and 1/4 cup ground walnut)
• 3 tbs fresh ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 2 TBS raw Cacao
• 1 egg (optional- you can always just add a little extra water)
• 2 TBS extra virgin, cold pressed coconut oil
• 1/2 cup apple puree (about one apple with peel in the blender or use 1/2 cup organic 100% pure apple sauce)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 TBS cinnamon
• 2 tsp dried ginger
• 1 great big heaping spoonful of love

Additional options- choose one or all of the following: 1/4 cup dried fruit of choice, 1/4 cup chips of choice (carob? chocolate?), 1/4 cup dried coconut, a dollop of favourite jam, fruit spread or fruit butter (I used Prune, Honey Lemon Butter- recipe coming soon).

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and mix the wet ingredients (honey, coconut oil, apple puree, egg) in a second bowl.
3. Now mix ‘em all together
4. Place on cookie sheet (they will about double in diameter in the oven so space them out).
5. Slip into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until they are golden and appear dry. They will bake up chewy and delicious.

And if you do come up with some brilliant modifications, be sure to let me know. Happy baking!

Tags: Almond flour, Baking, Cookies, Healthy Cookies, Recipes